Loose-leaf binders having pivotable rings



Sept. 27, 1966 G. E. COTT 3,275,005

LOOSE-LEAF BINDERS HAVING PIVOTABLE RINGS Filed Oct. 28, 1964 UnitedStates Patent 3,275,005 LOOSE-LEAF BINDERS HAVING PIVOTABLE RINGSGeorges Emmanuel. Cott, Enghien les Bains, France, as-

signor to Societe Anonyme Reliure Industrielle S.T.D., Seine et Oise,France, a corporation of France Filed Oct. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 407,185Claims priority, application France, Oct. 31, 1963,

952,530, Patent 1,383,043 7 Claims. (Cl. 129- 24) The present inventionrelates to binders comprising pivoted rings for the binding of loosesheets of paper.

Loose-leaf bindings of a known type generally comprise two rows ofsubstantially semi-circular pins facing each other, on which are filedperforated sheets, the said pins co-operating with each other in theclosed position of the binder so as to form continuous slide-ways ofring shape, said pins being movable apartfrom each other by means of amechanical device for opening the binder in order to remove the sheets.

Binders of this kind have many disadvantages.

In fact, on the one hand, the opening device is generally bulky, ofunattractive appearance and diflioult to operate, and on the other hand,any displacement of the two rows of pins with respect to each otherresults in discontinuities in the guide-ways, through 'which the sheetsare liable to escape.

An object of the invention is to provide a pivoted ring composed ofelements which are fixed one with respect to the other and which can bemounted for use in a looseleaf binder which will thereby overcome thedrawbacks mentioned above and be opened in' a particularly simplemanner, without utilizing any intermediate member, by causing the ringsto pivot.

The pivoted ring for a loose-leaf binder according to the invention iscomposed of two tubular members coupled to each other by a transversemember, one of the tubular members being co-planar with the transversemember and the other tubular member comprising a portion also co-planarwith the transverse member, and connected by an elbow to an arcuatesubstantially semicircular portion which is located in a plane parallelto the transverse member and forms, for a first position of the ringcorresponding to the closure of the binder, a continuous slide-way forthe perforated sheets on the said ring, said arcuate portion comprisingan elbowed extremity located in alignment with the other element andseparated from the latter by a space for permitting the extraction andinsertion of the sheets in a second position of the ring which resultsfrom a rocking movement of the ring with respect to the transversemember, this rocking movement resulting in the transfer of the sheetsfrom one element to the other.

In one preferred form of construction, one of the elements of the ringis straight and perpendicular to both the transverse member and to theplane defined by the arcuate portion of the second element, the otherportion of which is also straight and parallel to the first element.

This form of embodiment of the invention, given by way of example andwithout limitation, will be described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pivoted ring for a loose-leaf binderaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 2a and 2b are views respectively in perspective and in end view ofthe ring shown in FIG. 1, in the closed position of .the binder.

FIGS. 3:: and 3b are views respectively in perspective and in end viewof the ring shown in FIG. 1, in the open position of the binder.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of an alternative form of the ring according tothe invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a binder comprising two rings inaccordance with the invention, one in the open position and the other inthe closed position.

FIG. 1 shows a pivoted ring comprising a straight element 1 and 2 anelement including a straight portion 3 parallel to the element 1,connected by an elbow to an arcuate portion 4, which is substantiallysemi-circular and located in a plane perpendicular to the element 1. Atransverse member 5 extends perpendicular to the element 1 and connectsthe extremity of the straight portion 3 to one of the extremities of theelement 1, the other extremity of element 1 being located opposite anelbowed extremity of the arcuate portion 4 and separated from the latterby agap 6.

The elbows of the element 2 are rounded, the radius of curvature ofthese elbows being preferably equal to the radius of curvature of thearcuate portion 4. The elements 1 and 2 are shown as having circularcross-section in FIG. 1 but they may be of any desired shape and size,depending on the characteristics of the perforations of the sheets whichare to be bound.

The method of use of the pivoted ring according to the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, which show the ring in the closedposition of a binder, and in FIGS. 3a and 3b, which represent the samering in the open position. v

In the closed position of the ring, sheets of paper 7 havingperforations 8 slide on the. continuous slide-way formed by the arcuateportion 4 of the element 2. The sheets 7 are constantly parallel to theelement 1 and to the straight portion 3 of the element 2, and cannottherefore pass through the gap 6 which separates the two elements. Inorder to withdraw or place in position one of the sheets 7, it is onlynecessary to cause the ring to pivot about the member 5, as shown inFIGS. 3a and 3b.

After this pivotal movement, the element 1 and the straight portion 3 ofthe element 2 are perpendicular to the sheets 7. In order to displacethe latter, it is thus only necessary to slide them along the element 1so as to bring the perforations opposite the gap 6.

In consequence, it may be considered that the elements of the ringdefine two flat zones of utilization, one constituted by the arcuateportion 4 on which the sheets 7 slide on the closed position of thebinder, the other constituted by the straight element 1 and the straightportion 3 of the element 2 on which the sheets 7 slide in the openposition of the binder.

The advantages of such a division into two zones of utilization resultfrom the fact that the passage of the sheets from one zone to the otherfor the purposes of insertion or removal of sheets is impossible in theclosed position, the removal gap 6 being located below the sheets. Thegap 6 is moved to operative position for removal of insertion of sheetswithout noise and without using any intermediate member, by a simplepivotal movement of the ring about the transverse member 5, the saidpivotal movement producing a continuous sliding movement of the sheetsfrom the arcuate portion on to the straight portions.

In order to prevent the sheets 7 from escaping through the gap 6 duringthe course of the pivotal movement, it is preferable :to form theextremities of the elements 1 and 2 which define the gap 6 with aprofile such that these two elements ensure continuous guiding of thesheets at the level of the gap 6. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of sucha method of guiding, in which the extremities 6a and 6b of the elements1 and 2 which face each other are constituted by parallel inclinedplanes which partially overlap each other.

The pivoted ring according to the invention may be mounted in manyditferent ways in order to constitute a detachable binding. In fact, itis only necessary to utilize at least two rings, separated from eachother by a distance equal to the distance. between the perforations 8 inthe sheets 7 and mounted on a fixed unit such as for example the device9 shown in FIG. 5, the said device being provided withhousings 10inw'hich the members can pivot. I

, The control of the pivotal. movement can 'be effected either by thesheets themselves, which only require to be pushed or pulled parallel tothe member 5, or by an auxiliary device, for example by a control slide.

The form of construction illustrated in the drawings is in no waylimitative; in particular, the, ring may have any desired cross-sectionand, difierent 7 dimensions or profiles. In addition, the constituentparts of the ring may be made separately and assembled, or may be pro-.duced in a single operation, for example by moulding a plastic materialor by bending a metal wire; The binders may ofcourse comprise additionalmembers, for example for locking the ring inthe open closed position.

WhatI claim is: V

1. A loose-leaf binder comprising a flat support member and at least tworings pivotally coupled to said support member for receiving loosesheets, each ring comprising first and second tubular elements, and atransverse member rigidly fixed to each of said elements at extremitiesthereof, said transverse member being mounted on said support member forpivotal movement to locate said ring in first and second positions, saidfirst element and said transverse member being co-planar, said secondelement comprising a first'portion co-planar'with said first element andwith said transverse member, an elbow on said portion, and an arcuate,substantially semicircular portion coupled to said elbow, said arcuateportion being located in a plane parallel to said transverse member andforming, in said first: position of said ring, a continuous slide-trackfor perforated sheets threaded on said ring, said arcua-te portioncomprising an elbowed extremity located in alignment with said firstelement and separated therefrom to define a gap through which the sheetsmay be extracted from said ring or inserted position and/or in the tthereon when said ringis .in said secondposition, said arcuate portionin said first position being in a plane.

perpendicular to the plane of said support member while said firstelement, first portion and elbowed extremity are in said plane of thesupport member, whereas in said second position said first element,first portion and elbowed extremity are pivoted .outof the plane of saidsupport member. so that said gap is disposed for. said extraction andinsertion of sheets.

2.v A loose-leaf. binder as claimed in claim 1,=in which said firstelement is straight.

3. A loose-leaf binder as claimed in claim 1,-in which said firstelement is straight and perpendicular to said transverse member.

4. A loose-leafbinder as claimed in claim 1, in which said first elementis straight and perpendicular to the plane of the arcua-te portion ofsaid second element.

5. A loose-leaf binder as claimed in claim 1,1in which said firstelement is straight and parallel to the portion of said second elementwhich is co-planar with said transverse member.

6. A loose-leaf binder. as claimed in claim-1, wherein said tubularvelements have'extremities'whichdefine' said gap of a form such that thesheets cannot be removed from the ring 'by movement parallel to saidtransverse member.

7. A loose-leaf binder as claimed in claim 6, in which the extremitiesof said tubular elements which define said gap are constituted byparallel planes inclined with respect to said elements and partiallyoverlappingcach JEROME .SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

1. A LOOSE-LEAF BINDER COMPRISING A FLAT SUPPORT MEMBER AND AT LEAST TWORINGS POVITALLY COUPLED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER FOR RECEIVING LOOSESHEETS, EACH RING COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND TUBULAR ELEMENTS, AND ATRANSVERSE MEMBER RIGIDLY FIXED TO EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS AT EXTREMITIESTHEREOF, SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER BEING MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER FORPIVOTAL MOVEMENT TO LOCATE SAID RING IN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, SAIDFIRST ELEMENT AND SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER BEING CO-PLANAR, SAID SECONDELEMENT COMPRISING A FIRST PORTION CO-PLANAR WITH SAID FIRST ELEMENT ANDWITH SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER, AN ELBOW ON SAID PORTION, AND AN ARCUATE,SUBSTANTIALLY SEMICIRCULAR PORTION COUPLED TO SAID ELBOW, SAID ARCUATEPORTION BEING LOCATED IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER ANDFORMING, IN SAID FIRST POSITION OF SAID RING, A CONTINUOUS SLIDE-TRACKFOR PERFORATED SHEETS THREADED ON SAID RING, SAID ARCUATE PORTIONCOMPRISING AN ELBOWED EXTREMITY LOCATED IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FIRSTELEMENT AND SEPARATED THEREFROM TO DEFINE A GAP THROUGH WHICH THE SHEETSMAY BE EXTRACTED FROM SAID RING OR INSERTED